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...all about footballWed, 14 Nov 2018 22:46:13 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8Fifa quizzes Chelsea and four other premier league clubs over transfer dealings.http://www.sportzkick.com/fifa-quizzes-chelsea-and-four-other-premier-league-clubs-over-transfer-dealings/
http://www.sportzkick.com/fifa-quizzes-chelsea-and-four-other-premier-league-clubs-over-transfer-dealings/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 22:46:13 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4140Fifa is investigating five Premier League clubs over possible violations of rules on the signing of foreign players under the age of 18 with the quintet risking transfer bans if found guilty by the governing body’s disciplinary committee. Chelsea are one of those clubs, as reported by the Guardian in January, and the French investigative

]]>Fifa is investigating five Premier League clubs over possible violations of rules on the signing of foreign players under the age of 18 with the quintet risking transfer bans if found guilty by the governing body’s disciplinary committee.

Chelsea are one of those clubs, as reported by the Guardian in January, and the French investigative website Mediapart reported on Wednesday that Fifa’s Integrity and Compliance unit would seek to impose a two-year transfer ban to stretch across four windows, and a fine of 500,000 Swiss francs. Mediapart is one of the outlets publishing documents obtained by Football Leaks.

Chelsea released a short statement on Wednesday night saying they had “fully cooperated with Fifa and provided comprehensive evidence demonstrating its compliance with the applicable Fifa regulations”.

Sources familiar with the Fifa investigation have confirmed that another four English top-flight clubs are running the risk of a transfer ban, along with high-profile clubs across Europe. The identity of the other English quartet has not been revealed, though Fifa confirmed in September 2017 that Manchester City’s conduct involving youth players was under review. The Premier League champions denied any knowledge of the situation at the time.

In a statement, Fifa said: “As communicated in September 2017, investigations were opened concerning the club Chelsea FC as well as other English clubs in relation to potential breaches of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. The proceedings are ongoing and, to date, no decision has been passed by the Fifa judicial bodies. Thus, the clubs are to be presumed innocent unless decided otherwise. No further information can be provided as the cases are ongoing.”

Fifa’s rules prohibit the international transfer of players under the age of 18 unless their parents have emigrated for reasons unconnected with football, or if both the player and the purchasing club are based within 50km of a national border. There are exceptions relating to transfers within the European Union or European Economic Area.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have been found guilty of infringements related to the signing of minors, with Atlético and Barcelona serving a two-window embargo and Real’s similar punishment halved to one.

The investigation into Chelsea was carried out by the compliance unit of Fifa’s transfer matching system (TMS), which was first alerted by the case of Bertrand Traoré, the Burkina Faso forward who now plays for Lyon. He was signed on professional terms by the Premier League club on 1 January 2014, the first day of the window immediately after his 18th birthday, despite being pictured playing in an under-18s game against Arsenal when he was only 16. The club subsequently admitted they had acquired a first-refusal option to sign the player in April 2011, with “the option agreement registered with, and approved by, both the FA and the Premier League”.

Mediapart has suggested the Fifa investigatory body has proposed a fine of 500,000 Swiss francs and an embargo across four transfer window for offences relating to the recruitment of minors involving 19 players, including 14 minors who were illegally transferred. “We will not comment further on speculation concerning confidential contracts or player related matters,” added Chelsea’s statement.

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/fifa-quizzes-chelsea-and-four-other-premier-league-clubs-over-transfer-dealings/feed/0Marko Arnautovic wants West Ham exit.http://www.sportzkick.com/marko-arnautovic-wants-west-ham-exit/
http://www.sportzkick.com/marko-arnautovic-wants-west-ham-exit/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 22:36:25 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4138Marko Arnautovic has admitted he is ready to leave West Ham to play in the Champions League, with the Austria forward determined to compete at the highest level possible before his career is over. Arnautovic, who moved to east London in the summer of 2017 from Stoke for a then club record fee worth up

]]>Marko Arnautovic has admitted he is ready to leave West Ham to play in the Champions League, with the Austria forward determined to compete at the highest level possible before his career is over.

Arnautovic, who moved to east London in the summer of 2017 from Stoke for a then club record fee worth up to £25m, has been in outstanding form since being handed a more central role by former manager David Moyes last season, and scored 11 Premier League goals last term. He has continued to impress this season having already found the net five times in 10 matches despite West Ham’s early struggles under Manuel Pellegrini.

But while he has previously insisted he is happy at West Ham, Arnautovic – who is represented by his brother Danijel – has acknowledged that he may never have a better chance of securing a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.

“I’m 29, so that’s the best age,” he told the Austrian newspaper Kurier. “It’s clear that I want to compete with the best players. But in this affair I totally trust my brother.”

Manchester United were linked with a move for Arnautovic in the summer but West Ham were unwilling to sell a player they consider to be a crucial member of the team. However, his brother’s words will be of great concern to the club’s hierarchy as they attempt to build a side capable of challenging at the top end of the Premier League.

“He’s already playing in the Premier League and that’s where the best players are. But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end,” said Danijel Arnautovic.

“He’s a big part of West Ham’s team but I think it’s possible to tease out more of him. For that to happen, he has to play for a top team. Marko is ready for the next step. A player like him should not play against relegation. He should play for the international spots.

“Marko is really enjoying playing for West Ham. He loves that club and the fans. But there is still that feeling, that this cannot be the end. And everybody should understand that.”

Asked if it was possible Arnautovic could leave soon, his brother added: “That’s possible. It was already very, very close this last summer.”

Meanwhile, West Ham are still hopeful of signing Samir Nasri despite concerns over the France international’s fitness. Pellegrini is understood to be in favour of handing the 31-year-old a deal until the end of the season with an option to extend his stay. Nasri is not eligible to play until 1 January because of a doping ban.

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/marko-arnautovic-wants-west-ham-exit/feed/0Chelsea to okay Cahill’s exit in January.http://www.sportzkick.com/chelsea-to-okay-cahills-exit-in-january/
http://www.sportzkick.com/chelsea-to-okay-cahills-exit-in-january/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 22:30:13 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4136Chelsea are to reward their captain, Gary Cahill, for six years of fine service with a loan in January to secure more regular first-team football in a move which will effectively bring the curtain down on his career at Stamford Bridge. The former England centre-half is out of contract next summer and will depart on

]]>Chelsea are to reward their captain, Gary Cahill, for six years of fine service with a loan in January to secure more regular first-team football in a move which will effectively bring the curtain down on his career at Stamford Bridge.

The former England centre-half is out of contract next summer and will depart on a free, with Chelsea, who normally insist their players sign new deals before sanctioning a loan in order to protect their value, making an exception for the 32-year-old. That is a reflection of his achievements since joining from Bolton for £7m in January 2012. Cahill, capped 61 times, has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a Champions League and a Europa League over a glittering career at the club.

However, he has found himself out of favour under Maurizio Sarri and, having played only 21 minutes in the Premier League this term, was not included among the substitutes for Sunday’s draw against Everton. He had made clear his frustration in September when asked if he could leave mid-season. “I don’t want to jump the gun but, as things stand, probably yes,” he said at the time. “Sometimes you have to make tough decisions. As it is, I’m not enjoying things.”

Sarri has praised Cahill’s influence in the dressing room, and retained him as first-team captain for all that César Azpilicueta has effectively become the on-field captain. Yet Chelsea are increasingly conscious that Andreas Christensen and Ethan Ampadu, young players who have also found themselves on the fringes, are growing frustrated at a lack of game time. By permitting Cahill his mid-season move, that pair may be appeased as they shift slightly up the pecking order.

Southampton, West Ham and Fulham, now under the stewardship of Claudio Ranieri, may seek to keep Cahill in the Premier League, while his first club, Aston Villa, where John Terry, a former central defensive partner, is assistant manager, could offer an opportunity to excel in the Championship. It remains to be seen whether there will be interest from abroad.

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/chelsea-to-okay-cahills-exit-in-january/feed/0The Big Six Question: Game week 12.http://www.sportzkick.com/the-big-six-question-game-week-12/
http://www.sportzkick.com/the-big-six-question-game-week-12/#respondMon, 12 Nov 2018 11:38:52 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=41301. Will David Silva ever stop? Manchester United weren’t rotten – far from it. They were rather bested by a team so in tune with their manager’s ethos that they would have played blindfolded and still carted away all three points. Man City are bloody good. However, to talk about the game without mentioning one

Manchester United weren’t rotten – far from it. They were rather bested by a team so in tune with their manager’s ethos that they would have played blindfolded and still carted away all three points. Man City are bloody good. However, to talk about the game without mentioning one of, surely now, premier legends – David Silva would be a great injustice.

When he was brought in from Valencia eight years ago, he did struggle with the intensity of the English game. But his quality was never in doubt. He overcame the slow start and has become one of the best creative talents the premier league has ever seen.

He may never be spoken of in the same breath of the likes of Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, (probably due to the goal count of some of the names mentioned). But tell me a player so effective at dictating play, at seeing the game three steps ahead of the others and you’d probably never find any as good as the Spaniard.

On Sunday, his little shimmy to get away from a marker before planting a right footed shot past David de Gea was wonderful to watch. Of course, this wasn’t a one man show. City have plenty of actors in this cast of magic men, but seeing Silva so instrumental once again to the cause is something we’d have to cherish. He’s 32 and not getting any younger. Drink him in.

2. Does Mourinho know his first team?

List Mourinho’s first team, i dare you. Of course you’d struggle because even the man himself is at a loss as to who constitutes his first team. His constant tinkering is undermining whatever ideas he’s trying to pass across. Matic, Herrera and Fellaini were tasked with stopping City’s passing carousel – well, it didn’t work. City cut through them like a knife through jelly. It was never in doubt that City would carry the day but United’s static, unfit-for-purpose midfielders simply reinforced that belief.

Jesse Lingard was brought in from the cold but he was too rusty to affect anything. Rashford barely got a sniff. Martial – in-spite of his rich vein of form – was missing. It wasn’t a display Mournho would have been pleased watching from the dugout.

Mourinho spoke about (non-existent) mistakes the players made during the play. perhaps he was trying to deflect from heaving praises on this City side but plausibly he was trying to hide his own shortcomings.

City are a side settled in style and personnel. Mourinho is still putting together his puzzle three years into the job. It is a mismatch that us firmly rooted in Mourinho’s unstable first eleven.

3. Arsenal remain unbeaten but are teams going to be buoyed by Wolves performance?

Wolves scared Arsenal at times. They were quick, slick and unafraid of the danger Arsenal possess. They attacked in numbers and had Arsenal reeling for vast amounts of the game. Helder Costa and co gave the Arsenal defence a lot to think about. And to think that Adama Traore could have won it late on with two very good chances is an indication that Arsenal can and are vulnerable.

After a commendable showing against Liverpool, Arsenal had no answer to Wolves fearlessness in attack. It is perhaps the template with which teams will use to exploit Arsenal’s weakness. Expose and try to isolate the fullback, you have a good chance of hurting the gunners.

Time and time again, Wolves broke with Costa the tormentor in chief. Had they wore their finishing boots, Arsenal would have been licking their wounds.

Unai Emery has turned Arsenal’s season around but he still has work to do before they become engraved in his image.

4. How long will Chelsea continue to carry Morata?

Chelsea were frustrated and held to a scoreless draw at Stamford Bridge by an Everton team who were up for the task. Chelsea were lethargic, slow of thought and feet and were too patient in their build up play in the first half. The second half saw a much more improved vibrant Chelsea. Within seconds of the restart, Chelsea nearly scored via Morata. The Spaniard has undergone much better fortunes in front of goal in recent weeks. However, on Sunday, he was terrible.

The Center-Forward spoke last week of his journey through a difficult time last week; watching the Everton game and it seems he remains a long way off the desired standard for a club with designs on the premier league title. Caught too many times offside, he cut a frustrated figure. He’s a player in dire need of not just goals but acceptable performances.

If Giroud is in Sari’s plans for his superior hold up play despite having never scored in the League since May, then Morata’s continued presence in the team is under threat.

Chelsea have the January transfer window to address a nagging flaw in their system. Will one of Morata or Giroud give way for a better option? It remains to be seen, but Morata’s rising pile of uninspiring displays will count against him.

5. When will Firmino get back into the groove?

It is not often that a team are unbeaten in 12 games without negativity attached to it. Perhaps it is their less than spectacular showings in the Champions League but more feasible is the spark (or lack of) in the attack. Key to their swashbuckling style is the underrated Brazilian. He’s the unselfish cog which allows the likes of Salah and Mane to benefit from Liverpool’s press.

Kloop recognises this and started him in a now unfamiliar deeper role behind Salah (who also isn’t so great this season) but still Firmino failed to spark.

When the white-toothed False Nine is on song, so are Liverpool. Liverpool are still unbeaten and are second behind City. For now, they keep wining and remain on the heels of Manchester City. For now.

6. Crisis? What crisis?

Tottenham are fourth behind unbeaten Chelsea. There are many concerns – the continued dependence of Harry Kane, the less than vibrant attack, Son’s form, Alli’s form, Eriken’s form – which can be examined later. Spurs are still in a healthy position.

Pochettino has overseen scant transfers in his time at Tottenham and there are many who are of the opinion that the Argentine isn’t appreciated. Spurs will always be there and about; perhaps that is not such a bad thing. There was a time, not so long ago, mind, that Spurs were a laughing stock. They are in danger of diminishing returns if the squad isn’t adequately boosted but for now they remain a damn difficult team to beat. It is all down to Pochettion.

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/the-big-six-question-game-week-12/feed/0Barkley has grown in leaps and bounds – Sarrihttp://www.sportzkick.com/barkley-has-grown-in-leaps-and-bounds-sarri/
http://www.sportzkick.com/barkley-has-grown-in-leaps-and-bounds-sarri/#respondSat, 10 Nov 2018 07:07:36 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4127Ross Barkley’s eye-catching progress at Chelsea over recent weeks has convinced Maurizio Sarri the midfielder can have a key role in the team, with the head coach having initially feared the England international was “in trouble” when striving to adapt to his philosophy. Barkley will go into Sunday’s reunion with Everton, from whom he moved

]]>Ross Barkley’s eye-catching progress at Chelsea over recent weeks has convinced Maurizio Sarri the midfielder can have a key role in the team, with the head coach having initially feared the England international was “in trouble” when striving to adapt to his philosophy.

Barkley will go into Sunday’s reunion with Everton, from whom he moved for a cut-price £15m in January, restored to the national squad and having impressed under Sarri in the Premier League. The 24-year-old recently scored in three consecutive top-flight matches and, having feared he might play second fiddle to Mateo Kovacic, a loanee from Real Madrid, has become a regular.

His current standing contrasts markedly with Sarri’s early assessment of his abilities. “At the beginning he was in trouble,” the Italian said. “Then he started to improve in every training, in every match. And so I am surprised [at his ability to adapt] if I think back to the first month, but not if I think of the last two months.

“I like very much him because I think he is a complete player. He has physical qualities. He is fast. Technically he’s very good: he has a good kick with the left foot, and with the right. He’s improving in moving the ball. He’s quicker, mentally quicker, and he’s improving tactically. I think he’s on the way to becoming a very important midfielder, not only in England. Barkley, I think at the moment from a tactical point of view, is a step ahead of [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek. Loftus-Cheek arrived later because, in the first part of the season, he had two or three little injuries.”

Barkley played 179 games for Everton, through whose youth academy he had graduated, before indicating his desire to leave last year. Chelsea had been willing to pay closer to £30m for him in the summer of 2017 only for the player, out with a serious hamstring injury, to have reservations.

“I achieved my dream of playing for Everton,” Barkley said. “In my living room I always used to tell my mum: ‘One day I’ll score for Everton’, and when that happened it was unbelievable for me. I tried to achieve success there but sometimes these things happen in football. Coming to Chelsea was a big challenge. I was approaching 25 [sic] and I felt, looking back, I could have improved a lot more [at Everton]. At Chelsea I knew I’d improve a lot quicker around better players, world-class players.”

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/barkley-has-grown-in-leaps-and-bounds-sarri/feed/0We are judged unfairly – Kloophttp://www.sportzkick.com/we-are-judged-unfairly-kloop/
http://www.sportzkick.com/we-are-judged-unfairly-kloop/#respondFri, 09 Nov 2018 15:55:51 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4125Jürgen Klopp has said Liverpool’s season should not be judged solely on winning the Premier League and feels his team deserve more credit than has been bestowed so far. Liverpool, who have denied a report in the US that the club is quietly on the market for sale, can equal their highest points tally after

]]>Jürgen Klopp has said Liverpool’s season should not be judged solely on winning the Premier League and feels his team deserve more credit than has been bestowed so far.

Liverpool, who have denied a report in the US that the club is quietly on the market for sale, can equal their highest points tally after 12 games of a Premier League season with victory over Fulham on Sunday. Another clean sheet would deliver the lowest tally of goals conceded – five – at the same stage.

Klopp accepts expectations are higher this season having reached the Champions League final in May and out-spent every other Premier League club in the summer transfer window. However, he believes a return of 27 points from a possible 33 has not generated the positivism it merits because of the absence of last season’s flowing football and the form of title rivals.

The Liverpool manager, who led the inquest into Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Red Star Belgrade on the return to Melwood the following day, said: “It was more a general meeting about our situation and what we expect from ourselves. The season so far, point-wise, is really successful but it doesn’t feel like that for two reasons: the comparison with last year and the free-flowing football, and Man City, Chelsea and the others who are playing a very good season as well.

“You see it this week. We struggle in Belgrade and they [City] win 6-0. It’s a big gap. It feels a bit like that this season can only be a success if we become champion, in a year when our competitors are the champion of last year and the champion of two years ago. And a refreshed Arsenal and a more experienced Tottenham, and Man United turning around. That’s a really tough job. We go for everything. No problem with that, but we have to build on our situation to get better, more confidence. Tuesday was our massive knock, and now we have to react in the right way, not only on Sunday but in general.”

Klopp insists Liverpool have shown undoubted improvement this season, with the exception of the performances at Red Star and Napoli, without rediscovering the attacking flair of the last campaign.

“Everybody is searching for it,” he added. “All the different expectations are on the boys. We were in the Champions League final last year, and for the first 25 minutes we were the better team in the final. Doesn’t help a lot but that’s the last impression people have.

“We have to start again, and the other teams don’t get worse. A little moan about the situation is great but we are really ambitious. Whatever we can get, we want to take with all we have, but it’s a different situation – Champions League final, new signings settling in, it sounds like you automatically win the Champions League or the league. But the other teams don’t sleep.

“We have to see it in the right way, be positive and not the other way round. It’s like we win a game and we have to say sorry for not winning it in a City way or whatever. I get that, we have space for improvement, but there is no reason for any negative view.”

Liverpool spokesman responded to a New York Post story that the owner, John Henry, has signalled a willingness to sell the club by saying: “On behalf of the club’s ownership I can completely dismiss this unfounded speculation. To repeat once again, the club is not for sale, including any ‘quiet process’ or anything of that nature.”

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/we-are-judged-unfairly-kloop/feed/0Everton have been banned from recruiting academy players until 2020.http://www.sportzkick.com/everton-have-been-banned-from-recruiting-academy-players-until-2020/
http://www.sportzkick.com/everton-have-been-banned-from-recruiting-academy-players-until-2020/#respondThu, 08 Nov 2018 17:56:36 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4123Everton have been banned from signing academy players for two years after being found guilty of breaching Premier League recruitment rules. The Premier League revealed Everton academy staff had offered inducements to a player and his family to encourage him to register with the club. Everton will not be allowed to recruit any academy player

]]>Everton have been banned from signing academy players for two years after being found guilty of breaching Premier League recruitment rules.

The Premier League revealed Everton academy staff had offered inducements to a player and his family to encourage him to register with the club.

Everton will not be allowed to recruit any academy player who has registered with another Premier League or Football League club in the preceding 18 months.

The club have also been fined £500,000.

The Premier League also disclosed that Everton’s own internal inquiry found similar misconduct regarding six other academy players.

Accepting the penalty, an Everton statement said: “We are extremely disappointed with some of the practices we have found which are not in line with our values and not acceptable to Everton Football Club.

“We have already commenced a full review of our academy operations and are committed to ensuring that issues like this do not happen again at Everton.”

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/everton-have-been-banned-from-recruiting-academy-players-until-2020/feed/0Mourinho lacked class – Paul Scholeshttp://www.sportzkick.com/mourinho-lacked-class-paul-scholes/
http://www.sportzkick.com/mourinho-lacked-class-paul-scholes/#respondThu, 08 Nov 2018 14:27:16 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4119Paul Scholes thinks Jose Mourinho should have shown more “class” after Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Juventus on Wednesday night. Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnificent volley had Juve on course for victory but it was the visitors who would land a stunning blow in a Champions League clash to cherish. Juan Mata’s superb free-kick four minutes from

]]>Paul Scholes thinks Jose Mourinho should have shown more “class” after Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Juventus on Wednesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s magnificent volley had Juve on course for victory but it was the visitors who would land a stunning blow in a Champions League clash to cherish.

Juan Mata’s superb free-kick four minutes from time sent the visitors wild, but the best was yet to come as an Ashley Young free-kick was unwittingly bundled in at the back post by Juventus’ Alex Sandro to give United a last-gasp win.

The 2-1 victory is United’s latest memorable win in Turin and boosts their hopes of progressing from Group H to the knockout rounds.

Mourinho certainly lapped up the moment at the Allianz Stadium. A fortnight on from responding to inflammatory chants from the Juventus fans at Old Trafford by holding up three fingers, representing the treble he oversaw when manager at Inter Milan, he took to the pitch and cupped his ear at full-time.

However, United legend Scholes didn’t think there was any need for the gesture when analysing the match at full-time on BT Sport.

“You need to win with a bit of class,” Scholes said.

“I don’t think there is any need for that. Go over and clap the away fans, shake the manager’s hand.

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/mourinho-lacked-class-paul-scholes/feed/0‘Sometimes I wake and want to go, sometimes I want to stay’ – Eden Hazard.http://www.sportzkick.com/sometimes-i-wake-and-want-to-go-sometimes-i-want-to-stay-eden-hazard/
http://www.sportzkick.com/sometimes-i-wake-and-want-to-go-sometimes-i-want-to-stay-eden-hazard/#respondMon, 08 Oct 2018 13:59:45 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4114Eden Hazard has cast fresh doubt over his future after revealing that he is torn between signing a new contract at Chelsea and pursuing his dream of playing for Real Madrid. The Belgian forward, who has less than two years left on his deal, admitted that he did not know where his heart would lead

]]>Eden Hazard has cast fresh doubt over his future after revealing that he is torn between signing a new contract at Chelsea and pursuing his dream of playing for Real Madrid.

The Belgian forward, who has less than two years left on his deal, admitted that he did not know where his heart would lead him. Although he reiterated his desire to play for Madrid at some stage, it is not a given that he will push for a transfer next summer. Hazard has made it clear he is happy at Chelsea, who hope to secure him on new terms worth around £300,000 a week, and he is determined not to go down the same path as his international team-mate Thibaut Courtois, who fell out with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy before moving to Madrid two months ago.

“I don’t want that,” Hazard said. “I want what’s good for me, but I want what’s good for the club because the club has given me everything. I don’t want to say: ‘Yes, I am signing a new contract’ and then in the end I don’t end up signing. So I will see. Sometimes in my head, I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay. It is a hard decision. It is my future. I am 27 and I will turn 28 in January.”

Hazard, who scored his eighth goal of the season in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Southampton on Sunday, agreed that he probably had one big move left. “That’s why I spoke after the World Cup and I said that I think it is time to change because I played a great World Cup,” he said. “I am really in the game, I am playing good football at the moment. Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. We will see. I don’t want to talk about this every day. I don’t have time but we will talk about my future soon. I think so.”

Chelsea, who are level on points with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, are desperate not to lose Hazard. He has helped them win two league titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League since joining from Lille six years ago and he is thriving under Maurizio Sarri, who replaced Antonio Conte as manager in July.

However Hazard found himself questioning Chelsea’s ambition after their failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League and he admitted that Madrid, who had just sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, were his preferred destination after helping Belgium finish third at the World Cup. He has not been put off by the Bernabéu club’s poor form under Julen Lopetegui, who is under pressure after four games without a win.

“It is also when you have a dream and you want to make it happen,” Hazard said. “It is like I have said a lot of times: if I leave I will be happy; I know if I stay I will be happy. It is not like if I go I am happy and if I stay that I am unhappy.”

Reports in Spain have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar remains Madrid’s favoured choice to replace Ronaldo, which could force Hazard to change his stance. Although he opted not to open negotiations over a new deal last season, he will resume formal talks when Chelsea are ready. “I could talk now,” he said. “If they come to me, then I will talk. I don’t want to say that I am not talking with the club or the owner. I am talking a lot with them.”

For all his admiration of Madrid, Hazard hinted that Chelsea might not have to do much to convince him to stay. “I am happy and I don’t need anything,” he said. “It is not trophies. Of course, when you play, you want to win but I just want to enjoy things on the pitch, like I am at the moment. Then I am happy.”

]]>http://www.sportzkick.com/sometimes-i-wake-and-want-to-go-sometimes-i-want-to-stay-eden-hazard/feed/0I wish Sarri had arrived earlier – Fabregashttp://www.sportzkick.com/i-wish-sarri-had-arrived-earlier-fabregas/
http://www.sportzkick.com/i-wish-sarri-had-arrived-earlier-fabregas/#respondSat, 06 Oct 2018 15:38:17 +0000http://www.sportzkick.com/?p=4112Cesc Fàbregas remains hopeful of convincing Chelsea to offer him a new contract. The midfielder’s deal runs out next summer and he is aware the ball is in Chelsea’s court. However Fàbregas is enjoying life under Maurizio Sarri and the 31-year-old, who has dropped down the pecking order after missing the start of the season

]]>Cesc Fàbregas remains hopeful of convincing Chelsea to offer him a new contract. The midfielder’s deal runs out next summer and he is aware the ball is in Chelsea’s court. However Fàbregas is enjoying life under Maurizio Sarri and the 31-year-old, who has dropped down the pecking order after missing the start of the season with a knee injury, does not want to leave.

“I’m very open about it,” Fàbregas said. “To be the honest the club has not said anything. At the end of the day I have eight months left and at the moment I’m gone. But I’d love to stay at the club. I’ve been very happy for the last four years and a half. We’ve had great success, won many things. I think I have a good understanding with the fans and players. I feel I still have a lot of football left in me but it is now up to the club.”

Chelsea have had a policy of offering one-year extensions to players in their 30s and Sarri could decide he wants to keep Fàbregas. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder started in the Europa League victory over Vidi on Thursday and helped to create Álvaro Morata’s winning goal. However he is likely to make way for Jorginho when Chelsea visit Southampton on Sunday.

“I just came back from a difficult injury,” Fàbregas said. “I’m still sometimes feeling it a little bit. It is difficult to be sitting there and not helping the team when you know you could add something.”

Fàbregas, who has won two league titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup since joining Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014, does not envisage seeing out his career in England. “Probably in a few years I’d like to go away from Europe and experience something different at the later stage of my career,” he said.

Fàbregas played in a deep-lying role against Vidi and is impressed with Sarri’s attacking approach. “I wish he came a bit earlier to be honest,” he said. “It’s a little bit late now in my career.”